Paul Peterson is the head coach of Wasatch Academy in Utah and has been for the past six years, but he didn’t start as a coach nor did he think his Personal Program would lead him down this road. Peterson played Division II basketball at BYU of Hawaii where he was a 4-year starter, All-Star and All-Conference multiple years. Shortly after graduating, he returned to his Alma Mater to be the assistant coach and led the team to a Division II National Championship runner-up.
While taking the assistant coaching role Peterson also played internationally in England, Germany, and Serbia from 2008-12. Immediately after that Peterson created “Paul Peterson Basketball,” a training program for basketball players to get better at the fundamentals. Peterson knew after how big his program had grown, it was only a matter of time until he became a coach.
The Student: Mariano Manciel was a huge factor in today’s win over IMG. Averaging only seven points per game and scoring 28 points tonight, how impressed were you with him?
Peterson: Just being ready. We talk all the time, not everybody wants to be that guy, and we even say it with our five stars – it’s different every day and it’s not going to be the same guy every time.
The Student: What made you become a coach?
Peterson: I’d say it started with my skill and development program. No matter how many skills you help kids with, it’s up to their coach to let them do it or not. I felt I could train them properly with fundamentals and things but also insert that into the game.
The Student: Is there a specific coach you try to implement and add to your coaching style?
Peterson: John Thompson or Coach Sampson at Houston. Their grittiness, but their kids love it because they tell them the truth and love you rather than just being on them in basketball.
The Student: What is the origin story behind the Paul Peterson Basketball Program?
Peterson: I moved to Utah and was working a regular job, and this guy named Charles Abouo was going overseas to play ball. I wanted to show him some footwork and stuff. While the BYU camp was going on, someone just asked me to train their kid and I told them I’m not a trainer. All of a sudden five kids became 100, and then 100 became 200.
The Student: How has playing overseas shaped your perspective on coaching and as a person?
Peterson: Diversity, just being around multiple people and recruiting overseas because we do have a good amount of international kids. The biggest thing is toughness and the flow of movement, not calling sets every time down.
The Student: When coaching top players, sometimes that player comes with an ego, coaching as many top players as you have, how do you manage to direct their focus strictly on one goal?
Peterson: Truth. I tell them the truth no matter what, even if it hurts. That is the hardest thing you’re ever going to do. They accept that and buy in.
The Student: Favorite player growing up?
Peterson: “My favorite player growing up was Michael Jordan, but the guy I tried to emulate was Chris Paul.
The Student: Any pregame rituals as a coach or when you were a player?
Peterson: I would just shoot before, I never sleep. I don’t sleep before games. I’d go shoot around and then to the gym, get my shots up, sit there and watch college basketball, and get to the game.
The Student: Ball is in your hand, final shot, what’s your go-to move with the game on the line?
Peterson: In and out cross, right-hand step back at the elbow.